Should you register a gift? Gift tax and the suspect period

For a bank gift or hand gift of movable property, registration is not mandatory in Belgium - you can give money or goods without ever going through the tax authorities. But that choice comes at a price: if the giver dies within a certain period after the gift, an unregistered gift still counts toward the estate, at the generally much higher inheritance tax rates. This is called the “suspect period”.

The two options side by side

• Registering: you pay a flat rate of gift tax on the gift now, but the gift then never counts toward the estate again, regardless of when the giver dies.
• Not registering: you pay nothing now, but run the risk during the suspect period that the gift still gets counted toward the estate if the giver dies.

How much is gift tax on movable property?

For movable property (money, securities), a flat rate applies in Flanders and Brussels: 3% in the direct line (parents-children, partners) and 7% for other recipients, such as siblings or third parties. In Wallonia the direct-line rate is 3.3%. These are flat rates on the full gifted amount, unlike the progressive rates that apply to immovable property.

How long is the suspect period?

As of 2026, all three Belgian regions apply a 5-year suspect period for unregistered gifts of movable property: Wallonia since 2022, Flanders since 2025, and Brussels since 1 January 2026. For gifts made before the relevant region's effective date, the older 3-year period still applies - the extension does not work retroactively. For a gift of immovable property (via notarial deed), different rules apply; the suspect period is only relevant for unregistered bank gifts and hand gifts.

Can you register a gift later?

Yes: as long as the giver is still alive, an earlier, unregistered bank gift or hand gift can still be registered - for example if the giver's health deteriorates and the suspect period becomes a real risk. This is exactly why a proof document, dated and signed at the time of the gift itself, matters so much: it convincingly shows when the gift took place, which is needed to register it correctly and to have the suspect period run from the right date.

Which choice fits your situation?

There is no universally correct choice - it depends on the amount, the giver's age and health, and how much certainty you want. When in doubt, this is exactly the kind of question to bring to a notary or tax adviser: they know your full situation and the most current regional rates.

Not sure yet whether you are inheriting or gifting? Read the difference between inheriting and a bank gift or hand gift first.